Beaufighter Mk3 class Heavy Fighter 500 tons 11 Crew 95.9 BP TCS 10 TH 63 EM 0
6300 km/s Armour 1-5 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 0 PPV 4
Maint Life 2.59 Years MSP 12 AFR 20% IFR 0.3% 1YR 3 5YR 38 Max Repair 22 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 0.5 months Spare Berths 1
21 EP Ion Drive (3) Power 21 Fuel Use 280.76% Signature 21 Exp 17%
Fuel Capacity 10 000 Litres Range 1.3 billion km (56 hours at full power)
15cm C3 Near Ultraviolet Laser (1) Range 180 000km TS: 6300 km/s Power 6-3 RM 3 ROF 10 6 6 6 4 3 3 2 2 2 1
Fire Control S01 96-1500 (FTR) (1) Max Range: 192 000 km TS: 6000 km/s 95 90 84 79 74 69 64 58 53 48
Gas-Cooled Fast Reactor Technology PB-1.15 (1) Total Power Output 3.1 Armour 0 Exp 12%
This design is classed as a Fighter for production, combat and maintenance purposes
The primary space-superiority craft of the UKP, the Beaufighter mounts a powerful and long-ranged 15cm laser down its spine. This caliber of laser is considered valuable for two reasons: it is the second-smallest possible laser without miniaturization techniques, being the same size as the 12cm laser, and it can reach out to the limits of current beam FC ranges. A trio of fighter engines provides the brute power necessary for the Beaufighter to match speeds with any lesser craft.
The choice of a laser, as opposed to some other weapons tech, is also deliberate. The ability to choose to "plink" at long range, or close in for devastating short-range damage, allows the Beaufighter to tailor its engagement strategy against whatever opponents it may face.
Mosquito FB Mk3 class Fighter-bomber 400 tons 3 Crew 64.2 BP TCS 8 TH 42 EM 0
5250 km/s Armour 1-4 Shields 0-0 Sensors 1/1/0/0 Damage Control Rating 0 PPV 3.6
Maint Life 5.79 Years MSP 10 AFR 12% IFR 0.2% 1YR 1 5YR 8 Max Repair 16 MSP
Intended Deployment Time: 0.5 months Spare Berths 3
Magazine 24
21 EP Ion Drive (2) Power 21 Fuel Use 280.76% Signature 21 Exp 17%
Fuel Capacity 20 000 Litres Range 3.2 billion km (7 days at full power)
Size 4 Box Launcher (6) Missile Size 4 Hangar Reload 30 minutes MF Reload 5 hours
Missile Fire Control FC3-R1 (1) Range 3.8m km Resolution 1
Silkworm Mk3 (2) Speed: 5 200 km/s End: 5.5m Range: 1.7m km WH: 13 Size: 4 TH: 22/13/6
Harpoon Mk3 (2) Speed: 15 700 km/s End: 26.1m Range: 24.6m km WH: 7 Size: 4 TH: 68/40/20
Tomahawk Mk3 (2) Speed: 15 700 km/s End: 130.4m Range: 122.9m km WH: 4 Size: 4 TH: 52/31/15
Missile to hit chances are vs targets moving at 3000 km/s, 5000 km/s and 10,000 km/s
This design is classed as a Fighter for production, combat and maintenance purposes
Just as the Hurricane was miniaturized into the Spitfire, so too have designers attempted to miniaturize the Beaufighter. The sheer bulk of the 15cm laser, unfortunately, has so far defeated these efforts. Scientists believe that laser miniaturization and recharge technology will, eventually, provide a satisfactory solution; in the meantime, the Beaufighter remains.
The same is not true of the Beaufighter's fighter-bomber variant, which could sacrifice hardpoints as necessary to reach its tonnage goals. With a similar maneuver profile to the Spitfire family, the Mosquito FB pairs well with its lighter cousins. In the past, the Mosquito FB has carried a mix of size-1 and size-4 hardpoints; the UKP has since chosen to standardize, thereby reducing the demand for multiple fire controls.
As at size 1, so too does the UKP have a variety of ordnance at size 4:
- The Silkworm Medium Bombardment Missile is, like the Penguin, intended to deliver a massive warhead against static targets from just outside of energy range.
- The Harpoon Short-Range Anti-Ship Missile offers an impressive set of specifications: a large warhead occupying approximately half the missile, a powerful engine to make interception difficult, and an onboard active sensor capable of retargeting the Harpoon anywhere within five seconds' flight time. Its short (but hopefully greater than AMM) range is not considered a problem, as it keeps the cost of associated fire controls down.
- The Tomahawk Long-Range ASM sacrifices the Harpoon's large warhead, in favor of greater fuel storage and a sensor capable of retargeting on ships within thirty seconds' flight time. It can theoretically be fired without a proper sensor contact - the "fire on waypoint" tactic - but UKP tacticians have yet to use this capability in the field.
And that's the last of them. You may now commence with the heaping of the praises! (gets hit with a custard pie)